Life — March 12, 1885 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Season of Fasting" This satirical illustration depicts what appears to be a wealthy social gathering during a period of supposed economic constraint or rationing. The caption "The Season of Fasting" is ironic—the image shows affluent people dining and socializing lavishly while visible signs reading "SACK CLOTH" and references to fasting suggest the public was expected to practice austerity. The satire targets hypocrisy: while ordinary citizens were presumably fasting or economizing, the wealthy class continued indulging in luxury and feasting. The elaborate clothing, furnishings, and abundance of food visible in the scene contrast sharply with the caption's implication of self-denial. This likely references wartime rationing or a period of economic hardship when different social classes experienced vastly different standards of living—a common target of Life magazine's social criticism.